For soccer
For soccer, Romanian deadlift and trap bar deadlift score the same on every criterion, so use whichever is free, or both.
Both are good choices that work the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Romanian Deadlift. Heavy hamstring and hip strength for sprinting, with a hinge that’s quick to learn.
Trap Bar Deadlift. A strength base with a lower learning curve than the barbell deadlift.
For American football, trap bar deadlift rates higher on our research criteria: more carry-over to American football. Romanian deadlift does more to prevent injuries.
For cycling, trap bar deadlift rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to cycling.
For soccer, Romanian deadlift and trap bar deadlift score the same on every criterion, so use whichever is free, or both. Both are good choices that work the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
Trap bar deadlift is easier: it’s easy to learn, while Romanian deadlift takes some practice.
Romanian deadlift needs a barbell, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Trap bar deadlift needs a trap bar, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
About the same: both rate Strong for injury protection in our research rubric.